Sooners Even Series vs. Tide With Johnson's Gem

Oklahoma's lefty starter goes career-long 6.1 innings, Kadyn Leon earns first save in 4-2 win.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 11:06pm

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A cubist-style painting featuring fragmented, geometric shapes and planes of color representing the action of a college baseball game, with the players' forms and the ball and field elements abstracted into an angular, deconstructed visual style.Oklahoma's pitching staff stifles Alabama's offense in a crucial series-evening victory.Norman Today

No. 11 Oklahoma evened its series against No. 16 Alabama with a 4-2 victory at Kimrey Family Stadium. Sooners starting pitcher Cameron Johnson went a career-high 6.1 innings, allowing just two runs on eight hits with eight strikeouts, while Kadyn Leon earned his first career save by retiring all eight batters he faced over the final 2.2 innings.

Why it matters

The win evens Oklahoma's SEC record at 5-6 and keeps them in contention in the highly competitive conference. The Sooners have now won two of their three rubber match games in league play this season, showing their ability to bounce back after losses.

The details

Oklahoma answered Alabama's first-inning run with an RBI single from Jason Walk in the second to tie it. The Sooners then took the lead with two runs in the third, including a run scored on a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly from Deiten Lachance. OU extended the lead to 4-1 in the fourth on a groundout RBI from Camden Johnson. Alabama plated one in the seventh before Leon shut the door.

  • The game was played on Friday, April 3, 2026.
  • The series-deciding game is scheduled for Saturday, April 4, 2026 at 2 p.m. CT.

The players

Cameron Johnson

Oklahoma's starting left-handed pitcher who went a career-high 6.1 innings, allowing two runs on eight hits with eight strikeouts.

Kadyn Leon

Oklahoma's sophomore relief pitcher who earned his first career save by retiring all eight batters he faced over the final 2.2 innings.

Jason Walk

Oklahoma's hitter who had an RBI single to tie the game in the second inning.

Deiten Lachance

Oklahoma's hitter who hit a sacrifice fly to give the Sooners a two-run lead in the third inning.

Camden Johnson

Oklahoma's hitter who had an RBI groundout to extend the Sooners' lead in the fourth inning.

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What’s next

The teams will meet for the rubber game on Saturday at 2 p.m. CT. The game can be seen on SECN+ and heard on the radio via The REF 99.3 FM/1400 AM.

The takeaway

Oklahoma's ability to even the series against a ranked SEC opponent like Alabama, despite being outhit, showcases the team's resilience and pitching depth. The Sooners will look to carry this momentum into the decisive rubber match on Saturday.